About Your Inspection

When will the inspectors come round?
If you live in a former mining area and have a mine shaft on your property, you will receive a letter telling you when our inspectors are in your area.

To book an appointment, call 0845 762 6848. If you are worried about the condition of a mine shaft or there has been a change in its condition, call our 24-hour emergency line on 01623 646 333. All Coal Authority inspectors carry identification.

How long will the inspection take?
The inspection will take about 20 minutes. Our inspectors will look around the outside of your property to check on the condition of any mine shafts. They will show you the recorded position of the shaft and answer any questions you may have.

What happens if the inspector finds an issue?
The Coal Authority is responsible in most cases for the condition of the mine shaft and to pay for repair of damage due to coal mining subsidence. If the problem is serious, we will make it safe as quickly as possible. The Authority inspectors will stay in touch on a regular basis and you’ll have their contact details in case of an emergency.

What kinds of issue are you looking for?
Some of the conditions we are looking for include:
- Old brickwork, mine shaft markers or covers that may need maintenance;
- A depression near the mine shaft;
- Cracks in structures or in the ground by the mine shaft;
- A boggy area or water flowing from the mine shaft.
Even if any of these are present, it does not necessarily mean there is a problem. It is very dangerous to explore mine shafts yourself.

Will you be in touch again if the inspector doesn’t find any issues?
We will send you a copy of our report and a map showing the recorded position of the mine shaft on your property. We will carry out a follow-up inspection within the next few years.

Useful Information

Please note: in order to view documents in PDF format you will be required to download and install the free Adobe Acrobat Reader